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Bumble bees........help!!!

Haylam1985Haylam1985 Posts: 7
in Talkback

Hello image 

i have bumble bees nesting under the decking in my back garden. I have a 14 month old who loves to be out there but obviously don't want her getting stung. Myself and my husband don't really know what to do - can we move the nest? (My poor husbandimage ) i don't want to hurt the bees but I really have no idea what to do...... Any suggestions would be brill

thank you 

hayley 

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Posts

  • jpsbcfcjpsbcfc Posts: 50

    I wouldn't touch it myself, I would find a local beekeeper or club even and ask them to move it.

     

    I know of a local group here in brum that have done it a few times including one swarm that was on a traffic light button!

  • CeresCeres Posts: 2,697

    Here's a bit of advice on bumblebee nests.

    http://bumblebeeconservation.org/about-bees/faqs/moving-bumblebee-nests/

    I rather like the advice to reroute the nest entrance but you will have to prioritise your toddlers wellbeing.

  • Haylam1985Haylam1985 Posts: 7

    Thank you all very much. I would hate for anything to happen to them - they have quite funny personalities - I have a plant bed right next to the little entrance they have dug for themselves, in the grout of the patio no less..... They just come and knock me on my arm or back to get me to move out of the way image yes I do have to prioritise my daughter of course so i will get in touch with a local bee keeper to see what they say is the best route.  She is quite nosey so I don't want her trying to grab for one of the little creatures 

    all the info and advice has been a real help, I will keep an update

     

  • wishbonewishbone Posts: 44

    Haylam, any chance of a photo? Hope all goes well and you learn to live with them and teach your toddler about them safely. For info jpsbcsc, the beekeepers associations will only remove honey bee swarms not bumble bee nests. I agree wholeheartedly with Edd. My mum told me I used to stroke bumblebees when I was a small child and came to no harm, though of course I wouldn`t recommend that now!

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445

    Good pest control companies will have people who re-home bumble bee nests.

    and  your nest boxes full of tree beesimage



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698

    Could you just block off the child's access to the nest area with garden furniture etc? Sounds like the risk of a sting is pretty low! 

    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445

    me too Jo, but they would have to arrange their own accommodation, I haven't got a hive



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • Haylam1985Haylam1985 Posts: 7

    image thanks for all the replies!! Well I shall try and get a picture up - the best part is they have dug there little trench in the patio grout right under the step onto the decking. Im all for nature and that's exactly what I want to teach my daughter - about being kind to and unafraid of the little creatures that gets bit of stick because they can sting. But on the same score - I don't want her to be restricted in the garden to a certain area.....there are more bees under there than I first thought I think - going to try and have a look - see if we can see them from another part of the decking so we don't disturb them image 

  • NewBoy2NewBoy2 Posts: 1,813

    http://bumblebeeconservation.org/

    Haylam1985

     

    Dont you realise how lucky and priveledged you are to have a BB nest in your garden

    Edds comments are as usual spot on but without wishing your child pain if she/he gets just one sting would that be so bad in the overall picture

    BB s are part of the world we all live in and are vital to what you and I eat.

    They provide Natural Food and not the killer plastic food from supermatkets

    Stay safe BUT ENJOY THE BEES AND NOT FEAR THEM

    Everyone is just trying to be Happy.....So lets help Them.
  • kar waleskar wales Posts: 4

    Please don't try to move the Bumble Bee nest to another location, I won't preach because you're obviously aware of their status nowadays.  If it were me then I would use this as a basis of education.  All children need to understand the world around them & the perceived dangers that exist.  You could sit & draw pictures or take photos & give them names!  If left alone then the Bees will just carry on their business as usual!  I have many different Bee species in my wildlife garden, I often stick my face right into theirs & I have never once been stung (although it may well be from luck as opposed to judgement)!  If all dangers were removed from children then it would have a detrimental effect of their overall developmental skills & ability to sense danger later on in life.   

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